Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers has been at the center of the possible mega-trade that would send Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans to the Lakers. While the Pelicans are adamant to add Ball to its roster, the former second overall pick's camp has made it known that Ball would rather be sent to a team that needs a point guard, particularly, the Phoenix Suns.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly resumed their talks for the blockbuster trade that would send the All-Star Anthony Davis to the Lakers. According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, sources close to the negotiations have revealed that the Lakers have sent as many as five trade proposals to the Pelicans.
Lakers president Magic Johnson and the Lakers then presented five different trade scenarios to Demps on Wednesday and are waiting to hear back from Demps about which interest him the most, per sources. — Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) January 31, 2019
One of the five trade scenarios proposed by the Lakers included a package involving Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, Kyle Kuzma, and a first-round pick. However, recent reports suggest that the New Orleans Pelicans are somewhat "underwhelmed" by the offer and would want to get one more draft pick from the Lakers. In addition, the Pelicans would send one yet unnamed player to the Lakers to complete the trade. By looking at this offer and counter offer, it would seem that the Lakers and the Pelicans would eventually get the deal that they want. But then again, there is Lonzo Ball, one of the centerpieces in this trade.
After learning of the Lakers’ offers to the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball’s camp maintains that New Orleans isn’t the desired destination. Phoenix makes the most basketball sense if Ball were to be traded and according to two sources there is mutual interest. — Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 31, 2019
Lonzo Ball, or at least his camp, has made it clear that he wants to be moved to a team that doesn't have an established point guard. That being said, Ball really has no control with regards to where he would be sent since he is under team control for at least the next two years.
This is where the Phoenix Suns would come in. The Phoenix Suns are in dire need of a point guard, and according to SB Nation, the Suns is interested in acquiring Lonzo Ball.
To be clear, it makes little sense for the Los Angeles Lakers to directly deal Lonzo Ball to the Phoenix Suns, a division rival. For the Suns to acquire Ball, Phoenix has to act as a third team that seals the Anthony Davis trade should the Ball camp stands by their word that they don't want Ball to end up in New Orleans.
And again, Ball has no control over the negotiations or deals whatsoever. But then again, Arizona Sports have reported that the deal is already done. We just have to wait until the trade deadline to get to the bottom of this.
